SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Former U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly is returning to his college alma mater as an instructor.

The University of Notre Dame says Donnelly is leading two one-credit courses this semester. One is in political science and the other is in the Keough School of Global Affairs.

Notre Dame spokesman Dennis Brown tells the South Bend Tribune that the school asked Donnelly to teach the courses in an effort to incorporate real-world experience in the classroom.

The Democrat represented the South Bend area in the U.S. House for six years before winning election to the Senate in 2012. He lost his re-election bid to Republican Mike Braun in November.

Donnelly received his bachelor’s and law degrees from Notre Dame. His wife is a regional development program director for the university.